in a
book in the War Office. Damme, gentlemen, we must all die some time, or
another, eh?'

The voice coughed, and said no more.

Joe walked into the room. A group of half-a-dozen fellows had gathered
together in the taproom, and were listening with greedy ears. One of
them, a carter in a smockfrock, seemed wavering and disposed to enlist.
The rest, who were by no means disposed, strongly urged him to do so
(according to the custom of mankind), backed the serjeant's arguments,
and grinned among themselves. 'I say nothing, boys,' said the serjeant,
who sat a little apart, drinking his liquor. 'For lads of spirit'--here
he cast an eye on Joe--'this is the time. I don't want to inveigle you.
The king's not come to that, I hope. Brisk young blood is what we
want; not milk and water. We won't take five men out of six. We want
top-sawyers, we do. I'm not a-going to tell tales out of school, but,
damme, if every gentleman's son that carries arms in our corps, through
being under a cloud and having little differences with his relations,
was counted up'--here his eye fell on Joe again, and so good-naturedly,
that Joe beckoned him out. He came directly.

'You're a gentleman, by G--!' was his first remark, as he slapped him
on the back. 'You're a gentleman in disguise. So am I. Let's swear a
friendship.'

Joe didn't exactly do that, but he shook hands with him, and thanked him
for his good opinion.

'You want to serve,' said his new friend. 'You shall. You were made for
it. You're one of us by nature. What'll you take to drink?'

'Nothing just now,' replied Joe, smiling faintly. 'I haven't quite made
up my mind.'

'A mettlesome fellow like you, and not made up his mind!' cried the
serjeant. 'Here--let me give the bell a pull, and you'll make up your
mind in half a minute, I know.'

'You're right so far'--answered Joe, 'for if you pull the bell here,
where I'm known, there'll be an end of my soldiering inclinations in no
time. Look in my face. You see me, do you?'

'I do,' replied the serjeant with an oath, 'and a finer young fellow or
one better qualified to serve his king and country, I never set my--' he
used an adjective in this place--'eyes on.

'Thank you,' said Joe, 'I didn't ask you for want of a compliment, but
thank you all the same. Do I look like a sneaking fellow or a liar?'

The serjeant rejoined with many choice asseverations that he didn't; and
that if his (the serjeant's) own father were to say he did